US highwire artist completes Niagara Falls stunt training

American high wire artist Nik Wallenda trains in New York as he prepares for
his tightrope walk across the Niagara Falls in June.

3:23PM BST 28 May 2012

The daredevil has now completed preparations for what will be his most dangerous stunt to date when he attempts to the walk a 550m cable suspended over the iconic waterfalls.

Using a 365m cable, Wallenda trained intensively for 12 days in New York State where he was subjected to strong winds and water turbines to help replicate the conditions he can expect when he attempts the feat on June 15.

Speaking to reporters, Wallenda said: "I was actually laughing, it occurred to me that it seems almost easier than walking without the rain. I know it sounds crazy, but I indeed feel more comfortable walking when the wire is wet under my shoes in this case."

The main focus of the practice sessions has been to help the tightrope walker overcome any mental barriers, according to his father Terry Wallenda.

He said: "This is a mental game. It's convincing himself that he's done the same type of walking on ropes all his life, and it's just a different location. And he has to be prepared for wind and the mist itself, of course, but it's just convincing himself that he will be fine."

After first performing on a wire at the age of two, the self-proclaimed 'King of the Highwire' began formal training at the age of seven.

His attempt to traverse the Niagara Falls will fulfil a lifelong dream when he becomes the first person in more than a century to attempt the feat after being granted rare permission.

"My parents were performing in Buffalo, New York, just south of here, and they brought me and my sister to come to see the falls. We went up, checked them out, and I remember looking across and saying: 'wouldn't it be cool to be the first person in the world to directly walk over the Niagara Falls?'" he said.